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Asian stealth fighter development competition

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2026-09-19 14:46 UTC → 2026-09-19 21:22 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Competition for fifth-generation stealth fighter supremacy is intensifying in Asia. India is currently in the prototype phase of its indigenous twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with a target first flight between 2028 and 2029. Russia continues to market its Su-57 fighter, claiming it is “combat-proven,” though analysts suggest its stealth and avionics may lag behind Western and Chinese counterparts. China is rapidly advancing its own aerial platforms. While the J-35 family has shown operational maturity through flight testing of land-based and naval variants, reports indicate development is moving into a new phase with the J-36. This next-generation fighter features a distinctive three-engine configuration and a tailless, diamond-shaped double-delta design. Recent sightings of J-36 prototypes suggest the installation of fire-control radar systems. Aviation researcher Andreas Rupprecht has noted that testing for these next-generation fighters has entered a new phase, with four to five J-36 prototypes currently in flight. Strategic comparisons highlight differing operational focuses: while the American F-22 Raptor is designed for shorter-range missions with a combat radius of approximately 850 kilometers, the Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon is built for the Indo-Pacific region, boasting a combat radius of nearly 2,000 kilometers and utilizing WS-15 engines with thrust vectoring. Observers suggest that China’s accelerating high-tech industrialization and STEM expertise may eventually allow it to offset marginal technological advantages held by the United States through large-scale production.

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